Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 28: Expressing displeasure and resentment for the rejection and ignoring J&K’s industry and tourism sectors in the Union Budget today, the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), have alleged that despite assurances given by the Union Finance Minister nothing special has been observed for the J&K State and specially the trade and industrial sector here in this Budget.
Addressing a joint press conference here today Rakesh Gupta, president JCCI and Sheikh Ashiq Ahmed, president KCCI said that traders and industrialists of the State had high hopes from the Narendra Modi led Government at the Centre in the Union budget but nothing special has been seen except announcement of AIIMS for the State. They said several representations were given to the Finance Minister from Jammu Chamber and the Kashmir Chamber even with regard to the losses suffered by traders due to September floods but they are feeling dejected.
They said the problems of the traders from Jammu and even Kashmir region are common therefore, heads of both the Chambers after a joint meeting decided to struggle jointly for the reddressal of the issues of both the sides.
“We were expecting some special packages/incentives for J&K in light of situation emerging due to post September floods but unfortunately nothing was announced on the subject despite verbal assurances given by the Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley to the various representatives of the state including the State Government”, they maintained.
“We feel that the Union Budget presented today no doubt shall help the people below the poverty line but shall make the millionaires as billionaires and shall be of no help to the middle class people. In view of the formation of new popular coalition Government tomorrow, the Chambers from both the regions have high hope from the new Government,” they added.
They further stressed that the Government should involve representatives from both Chambers at all stages whether it is policy planning or implementation.
“We demand clearance of the financial package pending with the Central Government to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure of the State due to floods in September last year. In addition to this package, we demand Income Tax holiday to the State for a period of five years, exemption of all taxes including Excise on the building material to be used to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure,” they said.
“We also demand that the business sector like hotels, handicrafts and service industry etc should be passed on all the benefits which the normal industry gets in the State as these sectors have already been declared as industry. The State Government should forcefully take up with the Central Government that the hydel power projects should be returned to the State. It will give a big boost to the economy of the State and make it self-reliant. The air connectivity to all the three regions of the State should be improved in terms of additional flights during peak months so that the air fare could be controlled, night landing facilities and infrastructure be put in place and the timings of flight operations be extended till late hours. The airports need to be extended, upgraded and modernised to cater to the greater number of passengers,” they maintained.
They also suggested that before the finalization of the Master Plans which are under consideration, the Chambers should be taken on board to put forth their views in the interest of general public with regard to commercial space, industrial estates, education and health sector, parking space, toilets etc.
It was also stressed that social audit of all the developmental works should be conducted by an independent party and the Chambers be made a part of monitoring mechanism. The single window clearance system be implemented in all the major department and the action required to be taken by officers be made time bound and all application / renewals be made on line.
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